Seal hunt begins; IFAW bears witness

March 23, 2004



Seal hunt begins; IFAW bears witness



(Charlottetown – March 23, 2004) Despite international condemnation,
the commercial hunt for harp and hooded seal pups began in full force
today across the ice floes of eastern Canada, and IFAW (the
International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) is out on the
ice to document the abuse.










As many as 350,000 harp seal pups will be slaughtered over the next
few weeks – the highest quota for harp seals in history. Seals may be
killed once they begin to moult their fluffy white coats – at just 12
days old. Fully 95 percent of the seals killed in the hunt are under
three months of age.

IFAW representatives are documenting this year’s hunt, both from the
air and on the ice itself. To date, IFAW has submitted video evidence
of more than 660 probable violations of Canada’s Marine Mammal
Regulations – including the skinning of live seals - to the Department
of Fisheries and Oceans. Not a single charge has been laid in
response.

Last year, IFAW collected video footage of unprecedented quality and
detail. Sealers were filmed from close range, clubbing and skinning
animals. In the footage, sealers were caught clubbing several animals,
then returning to kill each one – a clear violation of the Marine
Mammal Regulations. As the sealer would start to cut into the seal, it
would begin to thrash around. The sealer, seeing the animal was still
alive, would club it again. The seal would lie still, and the sealer
would continue cutting into it. Again the seal would move. This
process was repeated several times.

Sealers are required by law to perform a simple blink reflex test to
determine if the seal is dead before it can be skinned. In absence of
this test, the sealer has no way to ensure he is not skinning the
animal alive. But the sealers did not simple perform this test once –
another clear violation of the regulations.

IFAW submitted the footage to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
following the 2003 hunt as clear evidence of extreme cruelty to
animals and gross infractions of the Marine Mammal Regulations. Just
last month, the DFO informed IFAW they would not be pressing charges.

“It is clear to me the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is not only
unable, but also unwilling to enforce their own regulations,”
campaigner Rebecca Aldworth said. “Allowing the very sealers caught on
this tape to return to the hunt this year is an official endorsement
from the Canadian government that illegal, cruel behavior is an
accepted part of the commercial seal hunt.”

To follow IFAW’s trek to the ice, go to www.canadasealhunt.ca.

End


For media-related inquiries, contact:
Katy Heath-Eves (IFAW) – Canada Tel: 1 (902) 628-4615; Email:







Cheerio

--
To avoid grizzlies, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game advises hikers
to wear noisy little bells on clothes and carry pepper spray. Also watch
for signs of activity: Black bear scat is smaller and contains berries;
grizzly scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.

"KrakAttiK" wrote in message
...





Cheerio



I say! How are things in Merry Old England?

Now **** off. Killing Seals is good fun and you know it. You're just
jealous that you can't get in on it.
smells like pepper.

I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,
but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.
Here's a hint. It's part of North America, not Europe. These people who
struggle to make a living in a repressed economy are not subjects of
England, not subject to European law and well within their rights to perform
their harvesting.
Work toward saving people from harm before destroying the livelyhoods of
others.

Dan.

"Daniel Audet" wrote in message
...
I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,

We're at least trying.

but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.

The objection arises because of the cruelty, which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct. Humanity everywhere is
objecting very strongly, and your refusal to listen harms you too.

Here's a hint. It's part of North America, not Europe. These people who
struggle to make a living in a repressed economy are not subjects of
England, not subject to European law and well within their rights to perform
their harvesting.
Work toward saving people from harm before destroying the livelyhoods of
others.

Dan.

'In 2001 UK tourists spent the equivalent of 1.026 billion Canadian
dollars - this is a massive source of income to Canada. Whereas the
seal hunt, by contrast, is a volatile industry and although accurate
figures are hard to come by it is estimated to be worth approximately
only Can $6 million.

The hunt is actually heavily subsidised by the Canadian Government
and when the subsidies are taken into account it is worth closer to just
Can $3 million. '
http://www.boycott-canada.com/

- Boycott is a predictable enough reaction.

Observe http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/236982184 ,
and see the impact this is having on your country. People love
seals- they are regarded as inquisitive, friendly and intelligent
creatures. I'm sure you could earn a little extra cash welcoming
eco-friendly tourism in the area. - Just think- you are actually
slaughtering one of your area's best tourist $$$s earner assets!

"pearl" wrote in message
...
"Daniel Audet" wrote in message
...
I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get
the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing
humans,

We're at least trying.

but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians.
They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should
look
up where Canada is on a map.

The objection arises because of the cruelty, which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct. Humanity everywhere is
objecting very strongly, and your refusal to listen harms you too.

Here's a hint. It's part of North America, not Europe. These people who
struggle to make a living in a repressed economy are not subjects of
England, not subject to European law and well within their rights to
perform
their harvesting.
Work toward saving people from harm before destroying the livelyhoods of
others.

Dan.

'In 2001 UK tourists spent the equivalent of 1.026 billion Canadian
dollars - this is a massive source of income to Canada. Whereas the
seal hunt, by contrast, is a volatile industry and although accurate
figures are hard to come by it is estimated to be worth approximately
only Can $6 million.

The hunt is actually heavily subsidised by the Canadian Government
and when the subsidies are taken into account it is worth closer to just
Can $3 million. '
http://www.boycott-canada.com/

- Boycott is a predictable enough reaction.

Observe http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/236982184 ,
and see the impact this is having on your country. People love
seals- they are regarded as inquisitive, friendly and intelligent
creatures. I'm sure you could earn a little extra cash welcoming
eco-friendly tourism in the area. - Just think- you are actually
slaughtering one of your area's best tourist $$$s earner assets!






Most of the seals are shot, what? Do you think they're still being clubbed?
Most of you get your information from the sensationalistic press which sells
subscriptions by showing blood. Some of you are gullible fools. Boycott
on, be our guests.

Boycotts don't work. Never have and never will.

"Ködos" wrote in message
...

"pearl" wrote in message

Observe http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/236982184 ,
and see the impact this is having on your country. People love
seals- they are regarded as inquisitive, friendly and intelligent
creatures. I'm sure you could earn a little extra cash welcoming
eco-friendly tourism in the area. - Just think- you are actually
slaughtering one of your area's best tourist $$$s earner assets!

Most of the seals are shot, what? Do you think they're still being
clubbed?
Most of you get your information from the sensationalistic press which
sells
subscriptions by showing blood. Some of you are gullible fools. Boycott
on, be our guests.

The English can't read very well. The news media can only get them to look
at newspapers by filling them with bare tits and sensationalistic gossip.

Maybe you can try to get your Prime Minister to follow international law
and not go around invading other countries that are of no threat.
Then maybe you can get your Prime Minister to stop buddying around with
dictators like Ghadaffi.
Then maybe you can complain about our country.

pearl wrote:

"Daniel Audet" wrote in message
m...


I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,



We're at least trying.



but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.



The objection arises because of the cruelty, which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct. Humanity everywhere is
objecting very strongly, and your refusal to listen harms you too.



Here's a hint. It's part of North America, not Europe. These people who
struggle to make a living in a repressed economy are not subjects of
England, not subject to European law and well within their rights to perform
their harvesting.
Work toward saving people from harm before destroying the livelyhoods of
others.

Dan.



'In 2001 UK tourists spent the equivalent of 1.026 billion Canadian
dollars - this is a massive source of income to Canada. Whereas the
seal hunt, by contrast, is a volatile industry and although accurate
figures are hard to come by it is estimated to be worth approximately
only Can $6 million.

The hunt is actually heavily subsidised by the Canadian Government
and when the subsidies are taken into account it is worth closer to just
Can $3 million. '
http://www.boycott-canada.com/

- Boycott is a predictable enough reaction.

Observe http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/236982184 ,
and see the impact this is having on your country. People love
seals- they are regarded as inquisitive, friendly and intelligent
creatures. I'm sure you could earn a little extra cash welcoming
eco-friendly tourism in the area. - Just think- you are actually
slaughtering one of your area's best tourist $$$s earner assets!

Agreed!, but two wrongs don't make a right you know. You've NO excuses, either.
"Tim" wrote in message news Maybe you can try to get your Prime Minister to follow international law and not go around invading other countries that are of no threat.
Then maybe you can get your Prime Minister to stop buddying around with dictators like Ghadaffi.
Then maybe you can complain about our country.

pearl wrote:

"Daniel Audet" wrote in message
...
I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,

We're at least trying.

but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.

The objection arises because of the cruelty, which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct. Humanity everywhere is
objecting very strongly, and your refusal to listen harms you too.

Here's a hint. It's part of North America, not Europe. These people who
struggle to make a living in a repressed economy are not subjects of
England, not subject to European law and well within their rights to perform
their harvesting.
Work toward saving people from harm before destroying the livelyhoods of
others.

Dan.

'In 2001 UK tourists spent the equivalent of 1.026 billion Canadian
dollars - this is a massive source of income to Canada. Whereas the
seal hunt, by contrast, is a volatile industry and although accurate
figures are hard to come by it is estimated to be worth approximately
only Can $6 million.

The hunt is actually heavily subsidised by the Canadian Government
and when the subsidies are taken into account it is worth closer to just
Can $3 million. '
http://www.boycott-canada.com/

- Boycott is a predictable enough reaction.

Observe http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/236982184 ,
and see the impact this is having on your country. People love
seals- they are regarded as inquisitive, friendly and intelligent
creatures. I'm sure you could earn a little extra cash welcoming
eco-friendly tourism in the area. - Just think- you are actually
slaughtering one of your area's best tourist $$$s earner assets!

pearl wrote:
I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,

We're at least trying.

To maim and kill each other?

but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.

The objection arises because of the cruelty,

No, it doesn't. It arises because you think "seals good, people bad." You pull
the same **** for other creatures regardless of the method of culling,
slaughtering, etc.

which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct.

No, it isn't. If you ninnies had your way, we'd ban deer hunting on the same
grounds. Then we'd have even more ****ing deer around here, and more people
would be injured or killed from collisions with them. The seals need to be
culled to take pressure off local fisheries.

Humanity everywhere

Speak for yourself. You don't speak for the rest of us.

is objecting very strongly,

I'm not. Kill the seals, give the meat to the hungry, and save fish populations
for human use.

and your refusal to listen harms you too.

Bull****, Lesley. Nobody is harmed by seal hunts. People are benefitted by them,
and so are cod populations. Remember all your boring threads about saving the
damn cod? This is one of the necessary steps, dummy.

...

On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 20:15:34 GMT, usual suspect
wrote:

pearl wrote:
I find it funny that the group based out of England/ Ireland cannot get the
people of ireland to stop fighting each other, maiming and killing humans,

We're at least trying.

To maim and kill each other?

but are willing to try dammaging the way of life for some Canadians. They do
this by stating Canada isn't following European law. Maybe he should look
up where Canada is on a map.

The objection arises because of the cruelty,

No, it doesn't. It arises because you think "seals good, people bad." You pull
the same **** for other creatures regardless of the method of culling,
slaughtering, etc.

The objection arises because of the cruelty,



which is an obvious
serious breaching of humane conduct.

No, it isn't. If you ninnies had your way, we'd ban deer hunting on the same
grounds. Then we'd have even more ****ing deer around here, and more people
would be injured or killed from collisions with them.

That's untrue jonny, if you and your deviant friends stopped
slaughtering the deer the population would in fact fall. It's
estimated deer numbers are 75% higher than they need to be in the USA
simply because of the rebound effect in population, directly caused by
hunters, who of course want high populations because it means they
don't have to walk so far to satisfy their deviant tendencies. Still,
if it wasn't deer it would be children or some other defenseless
creatures eh jonny?

The seals need to be
culled to take pressure off local fisheries.

Another myth

Humanity everywhere

Speak for yourself. You don't speak for the rest of us.

Obviously you're not included in the term jonny.

is objecting very strongly,

I'm not. Kill the seals, give the meat to the hungry, and save fish populations
for human use.

and your refusal to listen harms you too.

Bull****, Lesley. Nobody is harmed by seal hunts. People are benefitted by them,
and so are cod populations. Remember all your boring threads about saving the
damn cod? This is one of the necessary steps, dummy.

The fact is it's not jonny. The decline in cod globally is down to
over fishing, pure and simple, obviously not simple enough for you
jonny, have a lot on your mind lately? lol





Cheerio

--
To avoid grizzlies, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game advises hikers
to wear noisy little bells on clothes and carry pepper spray. Also watch
for signs of activity: Black bear scat is smaller and contains berries;
grizzly scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.